Kansas Department of Agriculture

A new food safety website has been launched by two state agencies in Kansas.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) have partnered to launch FoodSafetyKansas.org.

The website can be used to submit instances of food-related illnesses and health-related complaints regarding restaurants and events such as with pests or employees not washing their hands. Complaints about food items purchased at a grocery or convenience store can also be submitted.

A new dairy processing plant is under construction in western Kansas. The Kansas Department of Agriculture says the facility could be an important catalyst to spur additional growth in the Kansas dairy sector.

Since 2010, total milk output in Kansas has increased 24 percent. Last year, the approximately 143,000 dairy cows in the state produced 3 billion pounds of milk, valued at nearly $750 million. In 2013, the dairy industry in Kansas supported more than 5,800 jobs and contributed just over $1 billion to the state’s economy.

State records show that fewer irrigators are pumping more water than they are allowed to use annually.

The Hutchinson News reports that 114 water right holders received a first-offense warning of civil penalties so far this year for over-pumping in 2013. Another 70 irrigators were warned a second, and, for a few, a third time for over-pumping, and issued a $1,000 fine and temporary cutbacks to their annual water use. A fourth offense results in a water right revocation.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture says it will take over food inspections in Sedgwick County rather than renew its present contract with the City of Wichita as a cost-saving move.

Its present contract with the city expires March 31, and state inspectors will take over the work on April 1.

The Agriculture Department says doing its own food inspections is projected to save $125,000 the first year, and $190,000 the second year and the years beyond that. It plans to hire six state inspectors to handle the work.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture announced last week that it would move its offices from Topeka to Manhattan. Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman said officials at the Kansas State University Foundation made the suggestion.